Death Penalty

The death penalty has been in use in the United States since at least 1608. Since 1976, 1273 people have died in the United States because of the death penalty. Over the years, there has been much controversy over whether or not the death penalty is cruel and unusual. Although the death penalty is currently in use in many parts of the world, it is cruel and unusual and there are many factors that give reason to why it should not be used.
Some say that the death penalty deters criminals from committing crimes because they are worried that they may be given the death penalty. However, in many ways the death penalty can in fact promote killing. Some people may see governments using ...

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have the death penalty. Texas and Oklahoma have historically executed the most number of criminals, but in 2003, their state murder rates increased, and both have murder rates higher than the national average (Reasons NP). “Scientific studies have consistently failed to demonstrate that executions deter people from committing crime any more than long prison sentences” (Death NP). These facts support the idea that the death penalty may promote murder and is not fit for use.
An additional reason why the death penalty should not be used is that the person put to death may in fact be innocent. There have been several cases over the years where victims of the death penalty have been found innocent after it is already too late. Even if at the time of the conviction all of the evidence points to one person, more evidence can be found later to disprove the original evidence. If the suspect is serving prison time, they can be released if they are found innocent but when using the ...

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